What's Happening in Character?

These questions are in the school announcements, in the school song. They're everywhere, according to Schools of Character principal Kimmie Etheredge. Does that focus on doing the right thing make a difference? Etheredge shared this story. "The manager of a store close to the school called to tell about a young child who found a $20 bill and turned it in to the service desk.When the service desk person complimented her on her honesty, the child said, “I’m a Granger Wrangler, and we always do the right thing.”

Doing the right thing is an important focus of principle 5, and the emphasis is on “action.” Students learn best by doing in the ethical domain just as they do in the intellectual domain. While recent blog posts have highlighted service learning projects, moral action can include opportunities in everyday classroom routines: showing respect for peers and adults, helping resolve a conflict, and participating in a cooperative learning activity. Each of these could provide a “teachable moment” for any teacher.